Kings 5, Flames 2

Associated Press

CALGARY (AP) - Jeff Giuliano's first NHL goal was far more important than it was pretty.

Giuliano scored the game-winner and Mike Cammalleri scored twice as the Los Angeles Kings used a four-goal third period to beat the Calgary Flames 5-2 on Wednesday night.

Cammalleri tied it at 2 on the power play, sweeping a low shot past Miikka Kiprusoff.

The Kings took their first lead of the night 27 seconds later, when a harmless looking shot from the blue-line by Tom Kostopoulos was redirected by Giuliano as the rookie left-winger cruised through the slot.

"I was by myself and Tommy shot it at the net and I just deflected it and it went in," said Giuliano, playing his 14th NHL game. "It sure feels nice to get that first one."

Los Angeles went up two goals at 13:37 when Pavol Demitra converted Alexander Frolov's centering pass.

"You have to love his effort, his determination," Kings coach Andy Murray said. "He was dogging the puck all night and battling. It wasn't the prettiest goal in the world, but it was from our eyes."

Cammalleri said it was a confidence booster to win with the depleted lineup. Los Angeles has won four straight.

"It's important for us to go out there and get two points because it shows that we're a team and when we win, we play well as a team and it's not because individuals do it," said Cammalleri.

Daymond Langkow and Jarome Iginla scored for Calgary. Iginla's goal was his 14th of the season but only his third in 14 games.

"The top end of our team is not playing very well right now," Calgary coach Darryl Sutter said. "There is a focus or purpose issue with some of our top players right now and its affecting our ability to play 60 minutes."

The Flames had been 12-1-1 in games in which they took a lead into the third period.

It marked a second straight shaky outing for Kiprusoff. After allowing five goals against the Oilers in a 5-4 loss Monday night, Kiprusoff gave up four goals Wednesday on just 17 shots.

"In our last couple of games, we've just been a bit sloppier than what our game is and we've given up way too many goals," said Iginla. "We've got to get back to doing what we do and that's winning the defensive battles. In the last couple of games, we've been losing those and everybody in our room knows it. That's where well have to start in order to get better."

Mathieu Garon made 27 saves to improve to 14-7-0 for the Kings.

"He's getting better and better," Cammalleri said. "The guys in this room have a strong belief in both of our goaltenders but especially Matty of late, he's been playing great."

Calgary finished 2-for-10 on the power play while Los Angeles was 1-for-7.

Notes: Conroy's bout with the flu spoiled his much anticipated first game back in Calgary since the fan favorite signed with the Kings as a free agent in July, 2004 ... Kings F Luc Robitaille returned to the lineup after being benched for three games and got three minor penalties in the first period.